Black Tide Rising by R.J. McMillen Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t feel right. And it didn’t account for the blood he had found. Could that have been caused by something as innocent as an accident?
    â€œDon’t think the guy was her lover,” Walker said.
    Dan looked at him. “Why the hell not? You telling me you can read the grass like tea leaves or something?”
    Walker grinned. It was a grin that could get seriously irritating, Dan thought.
    â€œWhat?” he snapped.
    â€œLook at the prints,” Walker said. “See how the small ones are kind of a bit behind the big ones, and off to the side? And they weave in and out a little bit?”
    â€œYeah,” said Dan, looking again. “I can sort of see that. So what?”
    â€œSo the side nearest the big ones is a bit blurred—smeared, maybe. Like she was resisting and he kept dragging her back.”
    â€œJesus,” Dan said, still focused on the tracks. “You’re kind of stretching it a bit, don’t you think?”
    â€œCould be.” Walker gave his trademark shrug. “Guess you’ll have to go check it out and see for yourself.”
    Dan turned to look at him. “Not me. I’m off the force, remember? The cops can check it out when they get here.”
    â€œToo late,” Walker replied.
    â€œWhat’s too late? The cops? Gene called them a couple of hours ago. Gold River’s not that far, and they’ve got a pretty fast boat. They’ll be here soon.” Dan glanced out across the water and then looked up at the sun. “Lots of light left too.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter,” Walker answered. “That’s young grass. Soft. It’s already starting to stand up again. There won’t be a trail in an hour or so. Maybe sooner.”
    â€œShit!” said Dan.
    Walker stayed on the beach. He couldn’t walk, but he could give directions, and Dan needed them. As soon as he changed his position and stepped up onto the grass, the imprints disappeared.
    Moving slowly, guided by Walker’s hand signals, he followed the tracks up the hill until he reached the crest. This was as far as Walker could take him. From here on he would be on his own, and with the land now sloping steeply down to the northwest, he wasn’t sure the footprints would still show up.
    He took a step forward, following the direction the tracks had led, and saw nothing. The grass seemed different here, tougher than the other side. Maybe a different variety, changed by more exposure to the winds and the salt spray. Perhaps it hadn’t held the imprints the same way.
    He turned back toward Walker and shook his head. “Nothing,” he shouted.
    Walker pointed down, then patted the beach beside him.
    Of course. Dan needed to get lower.
    He sat down beside the last visible footprints and looked across the grass, letting his body sway and his head move. It took time, but suddenly he saw a faint indentation. Then another. They led down to a sweep of gravel edging the open ocean.
    Dan followed them until they turned to the right and disappeared into a tide line of seaweed. The same high tide he had arrived with earlier that day had washed the rest away.
    â€”
    â€œSo. Guess that’s as far as we can go,” Dan said when he was back on the cove side with Walker. “I’ll tell the guys when they get here. They can take it from here.”
    He looked at Walker, who had neither moved nor spoken. “You planning on staying here until Sanford and his folks get back?” Dan asked.
    â€œYeah. Why?”
    â€œDon’t get me wrong, Walker, but you and the police are not a good mix. If you’re here, they’re gonna have to question you, and as I recall, you don’t handle that well. In fact, you tend to mouth off, and that’s gonna piss them off. And then they’re gonna check your name and find out you’ve got a record … what?”
    Walker was grinning at him again. “Come a long way in a